United States supports new security council sanctions following North Korean missile launch; North Korea responds with third nuclear test.

• Author: Crook, John R.

In December 2012, defying earlier UN Security Council sanctions directing it to end its ballistic missile program, (1) North Korea successfully launched a long-range rocket that placed a two-hundred-pound observation satellite into orbit. North Korea's four previous attempts to launch multistage missiles exploded or failed to orbit a satellite. (2) The UN Security Council responded by unanimously adopting Security Council Resolution 2087 condemning the launch. (3) The resolution also added six entities and four persons to those already subject to asset freezes and travel bans and modestly expanded other sanctions. China, North Korea's principal economic partner and defender, joined in voting for the resolution. (4)

Although some observers viewed the new sanctions as having limited scope, the U.S. Mission to the United Nations applauded the Security Council's action.

In response to North Korea's December 12 launch, the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 2087 to condemn the launch and impose new sanctions, including asset freezes and travel bans on critical North Korean companies and officials. Additionally, Resolution 2087 strengthens and expands the scope of existing sanctions, making them more effective and far-reaching.

By limiting North Korea's ability to procure funds, send agents abroad, transfer dual-use items or smuggle other goods, these provisions will make it harder for North Korea to proceed with its nuclear and missile programs. Combined with the measures in Resolutions 1718 and 1874, the Security Council has further strengthened the robust and stringent sanctions regime imposed on Pyongyang.

Resolution 2087:

* Condemns North Korea's launch as a violation of previous Security Council resolutions and reiterates the Security Council's previous demands that North Korea not conduct any further launch and that it comply fully with its obligations with respect to its nuclear and ballistic missile programs.

* Imposes new sanctions on several North Korean companies and government agencies, including North Korea's space agency responsible for the launch, as well as on the Bank of East Land and several individuals. These six entities and four individuals will have their assets frozen and be prohibited from engaging in financial transactions. The individuals--including banking agents and space agency officials--will be subject to a travel ban....

* Updates current lists of nuclear and ballistic missile technology banned for transfer to...